Gower Peninsula
It’s around 10.30am on the most beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky, and we’ve just arrived in the Gower Peninsula. Not been here before, so don’t have any expectation of the area.
Our friends have told us we are heading to a place called Rhossili Bay, and prepare to be impressed.
Well, I’m not easilly impressed, so once we parked up and we started heading down this narrow path alongside the rear of some dowdy old building, I’m thinking…’won’t be here long’.
Bang!
The impact as you walk through the gate and catch a glimpse of Rhossili Bay, you just have to catch your breath. The view is quite outstanding- I stopped dead in my tracks and just had to stand and stare, for while… and a while… and a while 
The path down is steep but walker friendly, (don’t think about the walk up – and anyway, you just feel you have to get down there) The wind fills your lungs in a second but you cannot escape the draw to this place, it’s quite surreal.
Cows gently meader around the sand (yep, I said Cows) although never straying too far from the fresh water except to paddle their feet in the surf.
The beach stretches some three miles or so, and was pretty derserted, the rolling waves and constantly thundering surf, and the backdrop of the downs just creates an amazing vista, truly qualifying this as a place of outstanding natural beauty.
My mind was playing tricks, I started thinking I was in an episode of ‘The Prisoner’ or expecting to find myself drifting into a scene from ‘Planet of the Apes’.
Strolling along the beach, kicking sand… I’m drawn to this statuesque object protuding from the unspoilt beach ahead. I’m quickly informed that the remains of a Norwegian Timber ship which ran aground in October 1887. The Oak Ship - Helvetia, carrying 500 tons of timber, was partially recovered, but the bulk of the hull ended up submerged.
The Helvetia, was one of many ships that incurred the wrath of nature in this part of the world.
After a couple of hours gentle strolling we headed back up the steep climb – struggling from time to time to absorb sufficient oxygen, and to be passed by a sprinting teenager
One long final view before we departed – for a well deserved pint!
Have been there myself and know just how you felt. There’s a great little place, not a million miles from Rhossili called Bracelet Bay. We stopped by there during our visit and had a fantastic meal in a lovely restaurant, called Castellamare, which has fantastic views out over the sea and does even better Italian food !!